Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Charlotte-area home prices fell to new lows in February, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Index released Tuesday.

Overall, U.S. home prices in the 20 cities tracked by the index fell 3.5 percent in February from the prior year, slightly better than the 3.9 percent drop reported for January.

Charlotte home prices dropped 1.8 percent between February 2012 and the previous year and fell .4 percent between February and January.

The index was unable to publish January statistics last month for the metropolitan area because of delays in reporting by Mecklenburg County. On Tuesday, the index said it had received the necessary data.

"The unfortunate news is that it confirms that Charlotte is one of the cities that is still reaching new lows," said David Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Indices.

Charlotte was one of nine cities posting new lows since the housing market started falling in 2006, joining Atlanta, Chicago ,Cleveland, Las Vegas, New York, Portland, Seattle and Tampa.

Atlanta continued its downward spiral with a 17.3 percent drop, its steepest annual drop in the index's 20-year history.

Some analysts had expected to see home prices increase. Overall, some housing statistics have suggested an improving market. Inventories are falling, as is the percentage of sales involving foreclosed homes. In Charlotte, February home sales jumped 21.8 percent from the previous year, according to the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association.

The index, which lags two months, excludes sales of new homes.

"While there might be pieces of good news in this report, such as some improvement in many annual rates of return, February 2012 data confirm that, broadly-speaking, home prices continued to decline in the early months of the year," Blitzer said in a statement.

Goul - how is and why would anyone spin this as good news simply because they are "Liberal". Either your house is is worth more or it is worth less regardless of your political attitudes. What a ridiculous statement

"The big banks are dumping their inventory this year, causing the housing market goes down in an election year. Political?"

The big banks let their houses go every year. They had to keep a bunch off of the market to deal with the robosigning issue. Now they are releasing them again. it doesn't have anything to do with an election year. they aren't running for office...

@anon 11:21It's not so ridiculous. During Clinton scandal liberal media were saying that lying is good for us. And recently we were told that unemployment is good for families because "people have more time for each other" and it also stimulates economyhttp://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/jarret-unemployment-stimulates-economy/2012/02/23/id/430359

i just hope there arent any politicans out there in danger of losing their homes. its ok for the people of the USA to lose their jobs, houses etc... but how silly would we look if our elected officials were held to the same standards as the people who are electing them. countries like iran and syria would get a huge laugh out of that. sleep soundly americans, no way the boys and girls in washington would let this happen on their watch.

Just proves to everyone what many have been saying: The prices of homes currently selling is about 30-35% below the tax value. Many are being purchased by those that believe they can get them cheap, remodel them and sell them for a good profit. See some in my neighborhood selling for 175k and on the tax books for 260k another one 4 bedroom, 3-1/2 baths 3400sf for $180k and on the tax books for 268k and both above mentioned homes are owned by older folks that have no choice but sell for less. The Governments started and continues to do damage to all investors, especially with the low interest rates on investments that was made when we were working, loosing 85% of our investment and now have to sell our homes at a substantial loss. Lots of Government, very little " For the people, by the People".

According to the Assessor's office, my home in Steele Creek went up in value $17,000 and warranted a tax hike. I appealed that, but was denied. I guess they are using some other data that nobody else has access to. Can't imagine what that would be. When I tried to refinance, I was denied a good rate like we all hear about because the home was worth too little. I'm not an economist, but something seems wrong. And I hate the feeling of being ripped off.

Yes, I suspect the data the assessor had that nobody else had access to would be in the form of emails or private conversations between him and Ole Harry plus a few select commissioners, where they plotted how they were going to get their raises and bonuses, millions for CMS and, of course, social welfare programs for those who elect Vilma and George and who Jennifer hopes will vote for her. If the Observer had any gumption, they'd foi those emails and all other documents related to the reval,

Ely Portillo

Ely Portillo

About this blog

Ely Portillo covers economic development for the Observer, writing about who's building what in a city that seems to be sprouting new apartment and office towers on every corner. He also writes about Charlotte's airport, a major hub that's also undergoing a huge growth spurt. A transplant from Maryland, he's been reporting on his adopted hometown for more than five years. If you have a tip or story idea to share, you can contact him by email or give him a call at 704-358-5041. For the latest news, follow him on Twitter @ESPortillo.